Mega tourism circuit to link Gavi, Thekkady

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Pathanamthitta-Gavi-Vagamon-Thekkady tourism circuit will be developed as one of the first mega tourism circuits in the country as the Centre has cleared the state tourism department's proposal for creating world class infrastructure in the region.
Tourism minister A P Anil Kumar said here on Friday that the 150-km circuit would have a host of new facilities like trekking, archery and rock climbing.It will be among the first such tourism projects to be built under the new Swadesh Darshan scheme of the Union tourism ministry. The other projects under the scheme include the Buddhist and Himalayan circuits.
The Centre will grant Rs 95 crore for the Pathanamthitta-Gavi-Vagamon-Thekkady project, based on the theme of eco-tourism. The Swadesh Darshan projects are meant for theme-based development of destinations.
The state tourism department had submitted a Rs 200-crore proposal for the development of the region. Under the sanctioned project, Rs 30 crore will be spent for Pathanamthitta and Gavi and Rs 65 crore for Vagamon and Thekkady.
Tourism director P I Sheik Pareeth said the project would extend from Angamoozhy in Pathanamthitta to Vagamon. "The main components of the project include destination development, tourist facilities and security for visitors," he said.
Destination development will be undertaken in Angamoozhy, Moozhiyar, Kochupampa, Kaki and Gavi in the Pathanamthitta-Gavi area.